'SHARK TANK' Season-to-date Investment Offers Now Total Over $2.9 Million

"Shark Tank" Was #1 Among Adults 18-34

CULVER CITY, Calif., April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- During last Friday's episode of Sony Pictures Television's hit ABC reality series, SHARK TANK, the Tank heated up with another "made in the USA" debate when a husband and wife team from Pasadena, CA insisted that their sippy cups be made stateside. Another recurring theme of the night concerned the lengths entrepreneurs are willing to take to start a business, when the Sharks met a mom who sold her engagement ring to fund her innovative three-in-one nail polish product.

After a battle between venture capitalist Kevin O'Leary and guest Shark and prolific inventor of retail products Lori Greiner, entrepreneur Barbara Lampugnale, a mother of six girls from West Hartford, CT, received an offer from Greiner for $50,000 in exchange for 40% of Lampugnale's unique nail polish business, Nailpak. Additionally, after insisting that their unique sippy cups, Lollacup, be manufactured in the USA to maintain quality, Mark and Hanna Lim from Pasadena, CA, received an offer from billionaire Mark Cuban and technology innovator Robert Herjavec for $100,000 in exchange for 40% of their business.

Additionally, in a follow-up story, Talbott Teas' Shane Talbott and Steven Nakisher from Chicago, IL, talked about the deal they secured with Jamba Juice following their appearance on SHARK TANK earlier this season.

During the 8PM hour, SHARK TANK led the competition by double-digit percentages in Adults 18-34 and was #1 with Women 18-49. Continuing to grow year to year, SHARK TANK was up 17% in total viewers as well as with Adults 18-49.

Entrepreneurs who were unable to convince the Sharks to part with their money included a husband and wife team from Gardiner, NY, who tried to convince the Sharks that they had the next big thing in women's accessories; and two hockey moms from Finleyville, PA, who pitched their homegrown business of tank tops with interchangeable straps.

Tune in to ABC on Friday, May 4 at 8 PM ET/PT when investors Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Kevin O'Leary, Robert Herjavec and Daymond John as they face a new round of entrepreneurs including a man from Buena Park, CA, who tries to convince the Sharks that there is a market for a custom made air mattress that fits in the back of a pickup truck; the inventor of Rollerblades from Waconia, MN, who hopes to get investment money to put toward his newest invention, an elevated mono-rail bike system; a businesswoman from Rochester, NY, who tries to strike a deal for her innovative shoe accessories that can turn any shoe into a boot; and a fashion designer from Dallas, TX, has over a billion reasons the Sharks should see the value in his customized cruiser bikes that can be designed on an interactive website. Additionally, there is a follow-up on Shelly Ehler from Ladera Ranch, CA, and her ShowNo, a unique towel design that provides coverage when changing out of a swimsuit in public places, which Lori Greiner invested in earlier this season.

The panel of five Sharks hears pitches of the best business and product ideas from some of America's brightest entrepreneurs. When the Sharks hear a great idea, they're ready to fight each other for a piece of it. If and when the Sharks are confronted with a really top-notch idea, and more than one of them wants to sink their teeth into it, a war between them can erupt.

Mark Burnett, Clay Newbill and Phil Gurin are the executive producers of SHARK TANK, based on the Japanese "Dragons' Den" format created by Nippon Television Network Corporation. The episode is directed by Ken Fuchs and Alan Carter. The series is from Sony Pictures Television.

Emerging importance of the "higher-margin food ingredient sector" relates to the desire of health-conscience consumers for non-GMO, gluten-free, low-fat, high protein and high fiber diets, which food companies are responding to and moving toward higher efficiency, sustainability and smaller carbon footprints. Continue…